Pontiac fundraiser aims to raise money for school in Uganda

A West Bloomfield based organization is working to finish the construction of a vocational school in Uganda.

In 2010, Sandra Crane opened the Crane Centre in Uganda. So far, through her own savings and annual fundraisers, she has spent $90,000 on the half-completed school. An additional $100,000 is needed to complete the rest of the school.

The Crane Centre gives young adults ages 18 to 20 additional education after high school.

Currently, eight students are enrolled in the school and Crane said that once the school is completed, 40 students will be able to attend. The school currently offers classes in culinary arts, computers, social skills and entrepreneurship.

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"We don't, over here, realize how hard it is for those people to help their neighbors -- the obstacles they have. It's hard to get food. The limitations are great, and we have no idea what it's like," said Crane.

"Our object is to give them the fishing pole to do their own fishing, not to give them the fish to eat. ... And our plan is, when we complete our building and have a full curriculum, we will turn the building over to the (Ugandans). They are fully capable of running it."

At 7 p.m. Friday, Crane is hosting a fundraiser in hopes to raise the remainder of the money needed to complete the school.

John Standefer from the state of Washington, an internationally known fingerstyle guitarist, and duo Mark and Andrea Forester will be performing at the event.

Tickets for $35 will be sold at the door and includes hors d'oeuvres, wine and soft drinks. There will also be an auction for items such as one-week vacations, two eight-person dinners, a rental of a stretch limo and Meadow Brook Theatre tickets.

The fundraiser will be held at the Lafayette Grande Banquet Facility at One Lafayette St., in downtown Pontiac. For more information, call 248-682-2762 or visit thecranecentre.org.